Cover gripping device



A'Mllh 7, 1933- M. E. ZIMMERMANN COVER GRIPPING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet lFiled Jem. 14,A 1951 I N VEN TOR.

MAXl E.ZIMMERMRNN.

A TTORNE Y.

March 7,'1933- y M. E. ZIMMERMANN 1.900,478

COVER GRIPPING DEVICE Filed Jan. 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 TEE 62.-Vwww/Wwf iiat'ented" Mar. 7, 1933i --uN1TED sTArEs PATENT" OFFICE MAX E.zInIivIEEI/IANN, E Los ANGELES, c'AIfIEoENIA, AssIsrNoE 0F'V oNE-I-IAIEEo KAEL scEUMAonEn, oELos ANGELES, cAEIEoENIA COVER. GRIPPING DEVICEApplication filed January'14,r1931. Serial No. 508,696.

rIhis invention relates to improvements in cribs and chiidrens beds.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved crib whichincludes a novel cover gripping means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a crib including acombinationclosure for the side and cover gripping means.

An additional object of my invention is to provide a novel shiftableside for a crib.

Other objects and advantages of thisinvention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a crib embodying the features of myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Y

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the closure member in an openposition.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing covers being held inposition by the cover gripping means.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side view partly in section showingthe structural details of the hinge and latchingmechanism for theclosure member.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the crib.` p

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a crib embodying a modification of myinvention.

y Fig. 8 is a section taken on line8-8 of Fig. 7 with the crib guard.

Fig. 9 is an Venlarged fragmentary section taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 7

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a crib embodying another modification ofmy invention.

Fig. 11 is a cross section through the crib shownin Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary topk plan view showing one of thelatch devices. Fig. 13 is a section taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 12, andn Fig. 14 is a fragmentary elevation of a catch member. Y

Referring to the drawings by reference typeand on which a mattress-19 isadapted; `Spaced above the frontk to, be positioned. rail 12 and securedto the frontiv posts 11 I provide a bar 20 and secured tothe rail 12 andthe bar 2O I provide a panel 21 which -includes a portion 22 extendingabove the vbar 20.

For closing the front of the cribv I providek a gate which is indicatedgenerallyat 23 and` i includes a bottom rail 24 and a. top rail 25vwhich are connected `adjacent their ends by end bars 26 and between thebottom rai1f24 and the top rail I provide a plurality of spaced slats27.V v Y Y The gate 23 is pivotally connected tothe corner posts 11' bycrank shaped hinge inembers 28 shown in detail in Fig. 4. One arm 29ofthe crank member 28 is positioned in a hushed aperture 30 in the endbar 26 and the other arm 31y extends through an velongated aperture32-in a plate 33 on the corner post 11 and Ais positioned in a similarelongated aperture v34rin the corner post.

Positioned in a recess 35in the corner'post and engaging the arm 31ofthe crank member 28 I provide a coiled spring 36 which exertsadcwnward pressure on the arm 31. y

For closing the recess 351 vprovide a cover plate which is secured tothe .corner post by screws l3.8. For assuring correct operation of thehinge device I provide a plate 39 which is securedto the iend bars-26 ofthe gate by screws 40 and is positioned adjacent the shank 41 ofthecrank member28.

VFor retaining the gate 23 in a closed position I provide a latchmechanismv 42preferably on each of the front corner -posts '11.

As shown each of the latches includes a v i spring pressed plunger 43having a beveled end 44 and an operating knob 45. .When the gate 23 isin a closed position theplungers 43 of the latch mechanism 42 engageplates 46 which are secured to each of the end bars 26 and retain thegate in a closed position, the beveled ends 44 of the plungers allowingthe plates 46 to retract the plungers and move past the same.

When the gate 23 is in a closed position as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4,the lower rail 24 thereof is positioned adjacent the topsurface of thebar 2O and adjacent the inner face of the upwardly extending portion 22of the panel 21. Y

Vhen one desires to place a child in the crib 10 he releases the latches42 and swings the top of the gate 23 outward and downward to theposition shown in Fig. 3. The length of the shank 41 of the hingemembers 28 allows the gate to assume a straight vertical position on theoutside of the panel 21 as may be clearly seen in Fig. 3.

The operator then places the child in the crib and covers it with thedesired covers andplaces the edges of part or all of the covers'whichare indicated at 48 inv Fig. 4, over the bar 2O and the panel 21. Afterso doing the operator grasps the top rail 25 of the gate and swings itupward. As the gate is swung upward it first pivots about the axis ofthe arms 29 of the hinge members 28 and then the'plates 39 engage theshanks 41 of Y the hinge members and thereafter the gate swings aboutthe axis of the arms 31. As the gate approaches its closed position thelower rail 24 thereof engages the covers 48 and moves them intoengagementwith the upper surface of the upwardly extending portion 22 ofthe panel 21.

When the gate is in a closed position and latched the covers 48 aretightly clamped between the inner surface of the panel 21 and the outersurface of the gate rail 24 and between the upper surface of thek bar 2Oand the lower surface of the rail 24 as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

The springs 36 which engage the arms 31 of the hinge members 28 allowthe gate to move upwardly to compensate for the thickness of the coverswhich arepositioned between the rail 24 and thebar 20 and the spring ornatural resiliency of the material of which the gate is made compensatesfor the thickness of the covers which are positionedbetween the rail 24and the panel 21. The latch plates 46 are made sufficiently long tocompensate for the greatest amount of vertical movement of the hingearms 31.

In Figs. 7 8 and 9 I have indicated generally at 50 a crib embodying amodification of my invention. -As shown this crib includes corner posts51 which are connected longitudinally by a front rail 52 and a rear jrail 53 and transversely by lower end bars 54 the end bars 54 and 55slats 57 are provided.

The rails 52 and 53 are adapted to support a bed spring 58 of anydesired type on which a mattress 59 is adapted to be positioned. Spacedabove the front rail 52 anc secured to the front cornerposts 51 Iprovide a bar 60 having a groove 61 preferably of V shape in its upperface. Positioned between the rail 52 and the bar 60 I provide a panel62.

For closing the front of the crib 50 I provide a gate 63 which includesa. bottom rail 64 and a top rail 65 which are connected adjacent theirends by end bars 66 and between the bottom rail 64 and the top rail 65 Iprovide a plurality of spaced slats 67. rlhe under surfacer ofthe'bottom rail 64 of the gate is V shaped to correspond to the V shapedgroove 61 in the bar 60 and is adapted to lit therein as clearly shownin Fig. 9.

Pivotally mounted as at 69 on each end of the upper rail 65 of the gateI provide a block 70 having an aperture 71 therein in'which a rod 72 ispositioned. The upper end of the rod 7 2 is secured to the inner side ofthe corner post 11 by a member 73 and extends straight downward to apoint below the lower end of the block 70 when the gate is in a closedposition and then it is curved outwardly as at 70 to a point spacedbeyond the outer face of the corner post whence it extends straightdownward as at 70 a distance and is bent back and at an angle and issecured to the corner post as indicated at 74 by screws or othersuitable securing means.

For retaining the gate 63 is a closed position I provide a springpressed latch device 75 on each of the blocks 70. rlhe plungers 76 ofthe latches are adapted to engage teeth 77 on plates 78 which aresecured to the inner sides of the adjacent corner posts and are adaptedto prevent upward movement vof the gate. I Y y To open the gate 63 theoperator releases the latches 75, moves the gate upward until the loweredge of the rail 64 thereof clears the top of the bar 60 and'then swingsthe lower end of the gate outwardand lowers it.. As the rods 72 arecurved outward and the lower portion thereof is spaced beyond the frontof the corner post the gate, when in a lowered position, will besuspended vertically in front of the crib.

To close the gate 63 the operator raises the gate until the lower end ofthe rail 64 is above the bar 60'and then lowers the gate so that thelower V-shaped face of therail 64 is positioned in the V-shaped groove6l of the bar'60.

When it is desired to secure bed covers in position in the crib 50 thegate 63'is raised and the ends of the covers positioned over the bar 6.0and then the gate is moved downward. IVhen the gate is moved downwardthe lower surface of the rail 64 engages the covers and forces them intothe groove 61 thereby clamping them in position between the surice faceof the V-shaped groove and thefsurface of V-shaped portion of the gaterail 64.

` In Figs. 10 and 11 I haveindicated a crib embodying a furthermodification of my linvention generally at 80. As shownthis cribincludes corner posts 81 which are connected longitudinally by afront-rail 82 and a rear rail 83 and transverselyby lower end bars 84and upper end bars 85. Spaced above the rear rail 83 a bar 86 isprovided and in the space between the rail V83 and the bar 86 andbetween the end bars 84 and 85a'plurality of spaced slats 87 areprovided.

The rails 82 and "83 are adapted-to support a bed spring 88 which may beof any desired type and on which a mattress 89is adapted to bepositioned. Spaced above the front rail 82 and secured to the frontcorner 'posts 81 I provide a bar 90 and secured to the rail 82 and thebar 90 I provide a panel 91 which includes a portion 92 extending abovethe bar 90.

For closing the front of the crib 80 I provide a gate which is indicatedgenerally at 93 and includes a bottoni rail 94 and a top rail 95 whichare connected adjacent their ends by end bars 96 and between which Iprovidel a plurality of spaced slats 97. Adjacent each end of the gate93 I provide a rod 98 one end of which is secured to the lower rail 94and theopposite end to the top rail 95.

Extending longitudinally along the front of the crib adjacentthe upperend of the panel 91 I provide a rod 99 which is secured tothe i frontcorner posts as at 100 by screws or other suitable securing means. i

Pivotally mounted onV the rod 99 adjacent each of the gate rods 98 Iprovide bearing blocks 101 each of whichis provided withvan aperture 102in which Ythe adjacent gate .rod 98 is positioned Vand in which it isfreely slidable.

For retaining the gate 93 in a closed position I provide a springpressed latch device 103 adjacent each end of the rail 95 and on thefront corner posts I provide plates 105. Each of the latches include aplunger 104 having a beveled end 106 and a beveled side 10'(- and theinner face of the plates 105 are provided with ratchet teeth 108.

When the gate 93 is in a closed position the plungers 104 of the latchesare positioned in the rear of the plates 105 thus preventing the gatefrom being moved outward and the beveled side 107 of the pluiigersengage one of the teeth 108 of the adjacent side plate and preventsupward movement of the gate.

To open the gate 93 the latches 103 are released and the top rail 95 isswung outward and downward about the axis of the rod 99 and then thegate is lowered until the bearing blocks 101 engage the bottom rail 94.

Toclose the gate 93 the operator grasps the top rail 95 and swings itupward and inward about the axis of the rod 99 and then lowers panel191.

itso that the lower rail 94 r'e'sts onthe bar 90.

When it is desired tosecurethe bed covers in position in the crib-80 thelatches 103 are released, the gate 93 raised andthe edges of the coverspositioned over the bar 90 and the upper edge of the panel 91. rIhe gateis then lowered and as it is so moved the lower face ofthe gate rail `94engages the covers and moves them down against the bar 90. Thus the`covers are clamped between the gate .rail 94 andvthe bar90 and betweenthe rail 94 and theupwardly extending portion 92of the Although inthefollowing claims I refer to a crib, it will beunderstood that myinvention may be used in connection with beds, cots, sofas, and allarticles of furniture intended to recline and sleep or rest onwithoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. .p

It will also be understood that I may, if desired, reverse my coverholding arrangement by puttingthe cover engaging bars on the covers, allwithin the scope of the appended` claims.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provideda crib or bed which is highly efficient for the intended purpose andwhich can be economically manufactured.

Having thus described my invention, lI claim:

1; In combination with a crib including end p'ortionsand side portions,one of said side portions including a panel, a closure gate adjacent tosaid panel, and pivot means arranged above said panel and connectingsaid end portions and said gate to mount saidclosure gate for swingingmovement with the lower partv thereof moveable outwardly against saidpanel to thereby hold Vbed covers against saidpanel.

2. In combination with a crib, including end portions and a backportion, eachof said end portions including a vertical rear corner postand a front corner post, a horizontal member connecting said frontcorner posts,a

second member associated with said horizontal memberand arrangedadjacent thereto and above the bottom of said horizontal meinber toforma closure receiving portion, a closure gate for the lfront of saidcrib, said closure gate including end bars connected by upper and lowerrails, said lower rail when said gate is'in a closed positionbeingpositioned in said closure receiving portion, and hingemeansconnecting said closure gate Ito said front corner posts permittingsaidgate to swing outwardly through a semicircle whereby the gate isdisposed outside of and adjacent said second member with the top railsubstantially below and the bottom rail above said second member.

y 3. In combination with a crib 'including end portionsand a backportion, each of said end portions including f a vertical rearK cornerpost and a front corner post, a horizontal rail connecting said rearcorner posts anda horizontal front rail connecting said front cornerposts, a horizontal bar positioned above said front rail and secured tosaid front corner posts, a panel secured to said rail and said bar, aportion of said panel extending above said bar, a closure gate for thefront of said crib, said gate including end bars connected by upper andlower rails, said lower gate rail when said gate is in a closedpositionnbeing positioned adjacent the top surface of said horizontalbar and adjacent the inner surface of said upwardly extending portion ofsaid panel and hinge/means connecting said closure gate to said frontcorner portions and permitting said gate to swing outwardly through asemi-circle whereby the top of the gate in open position is disposedadjacent to said front rail and whereby in closed position the bottom ofthe gate moves inwardly towards said rail to hold bed-clothesthereagainst. Y

4. In combination with a crib including end portions and a bac-l:portion, each of said end portions including a vertical rear-corner postand a front corner post, a horizontal rail connecting said rear cornerposts and a horizontal front rail connecting said front corner posts, ahorizontal .bar positioned above said front rail and secured to saidfront corner posts, a panel secured to said front rail and said bar, aportion of said panel extending above said bar, a closure gate for thefront of said crib, said gate including end bars connected by upper andlower rails, and means to mount said gate for outward swinging movementVwhereby said lower gate rail may either be positioned adjacent they topsurface of said horizontal bar and in the rear of said extending portionof said panel or may be moved from such position to a position in frontof said panel.

5. In combination with a crib including end portions and a back portion,each of said end portions including a vertical rear corner post and afront corner post, a horizontal rail connecting said rear posts and ahorizontal rail connecting said front posts, a horizontal bar positionedabove said front rail and secured to said corner front posts, a panelsecured to said front rail and said bar, a portion of said panelextending above said horizontal bar, a closure gate for the front ofsaid crib, said gate including` end bars, said end bars being connectedby horizontal upper and lower rails, said lower gate rail when said gateis in a closed position being positioned adjacent the top surface ofsaid horizontal bar and adjacent the inner surface of said upwardlyextending portion of said panel, hinge members connecting said gate tosaid front corner post,.each of said hinge members including a centralpart with oppositely extending arms at the'ends thereof, one of saidarms being pivotally connected to' its associated gate end bar and theother of said arms being pivotally connected to its associated frontcorner post. i l

'6. In combination with a crib including end portions and a backportion, each of said end portions including a vertical rear cornerpostandv a front corner post, a horizontal rail connecting said rearposts and a horizontal rail connecting said front posts, a horizontalbar positioned above said front rail and secured to said corner frontposts, a panel secured to said front rail and said bar, a portion ofsaid panel extending above said horizontal bar, a closure gate for thefront of said crib, said gate including end bars, said end bars beingconnected by horizontal upper and lowerrails, said lower gate rail whensaid gate is in a closed position being positioned adjacent the topsurface of said horizontal lbar and adjacent the inner surface of saidupwardly extending portion vof said panel, hinge members connecting saidgate to said front corner post, each of said hinge members being crankshaped and including a shank having oppositely extending arms, one

of said arms being pivotally connected to its associated gate end barand the votherV of said arms being pivoted in a slot in its associatedfront corner post, there being a recess in each of said front cornerposts communicating with said slot therein, a cover for said recesssecured to said corner post, a spring in said recess, said springengaging said second arm of said hinge member and resiliently urging itdownward and releasable latch means on said Gate to retainsaid gate inaclosed position.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aix my signature. ,Y i

-MAX E. ZIMMERMANN.

